Q. E. Kastrati, Frank Machin Margaret Cole Ludovic Nennedy David
Holbrook Christopher Hollis Suzanne H. Spence, Ronald Vincent Smith Evelyn Waugh N. C: Nightingale, Paul Vaughan P. Baratier Dr. W. 1. D. Scott, B. R. Jones, Mrs. R. N. Harrison
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Montesquieu 1.)allY Telegraph' THE CONFERENCES Sul,----Like Mr. Frank Ware I appreciate the wit and Penetration of Mr. Bernard Levin's articles, though naturally enjoy them more when they are directed elsewhere than at such weaknesses as he finds, and those he thinks he finds, in the Liberal Party. I, Wit of course, seeks out such targets as it can best be exercised on, and an all-round appraisal is not to be expected of it. The three speeches at the Liberal Assembly that Mr. Levin noticed favourably were, of course, not the only ones to make a notable Fontribution to the proceedings: to those Mr. Ware has already mentioned—Mr. Grimond's and Mr. ..r hurPe's-- -one might well add quite a few others, not the Mr. Arthur Holt's and Mr. Frank Byers's. Also, tne Assembly adopted many valuable resolutions and not Only the regrettable one regarding Berlin. That ?lie, as Mr. Ware rightly agrees, was a mess, and for the reasons you, sir. give in your reply to Mr. Basil Wigoder.
„ Would like to add, with regard to the present Berlin crisis and the Western attitude to East erniany, that there are some speakers, Liberals _111°4 them, who help to muddy the wells of clear "linking by resorting to what are in reality mere elch-phrases by the unreflective for the uninformed comment; are too often allowed to pass without critical ,QPinnent; phrases such as 'one must be a realist,' one must recognise facts,' 'one must come to an understanding with Mr. Khruschchev,"one must encourage trade with the Soviet bloc,' we want Peeee,"we want neither hot nor cold war.' Of course ,,, :`,,e want peace, and trade too! But to suggest that be may be had for the asking, or that we should tre,readY to give in advance almost anything Nikita rushchey may like to demand, is both naïve and damaging, It helps! to create a climate of public "Pinion which makes it more difficult for Western negotiators to secure these very desirable things, for tt, Prompts the Communist leaders at once to raise to Price, and even perhaps to bank on being able ,t.) impose a Munich-like settlement, thus precipita- "fl the war neither side wants. To seek fair and Peaceful settlements of international questions must, () ot, Course, be our constant aim. But our experience giVing in repeatedly to the demands and e,,nero4chments of pre-war dictatorships, and of the .4oiet Union since the war, should be enough to warn el)! that, in public as in private life, submitting to the does not buy peace but merely encourages mc blackmailer to demand still more.
Q. E. KASTRATI
Liberal International (British Group),
45 Whitehall, SW1
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